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The A7 Sportback is a large, four-door hatchback based on the similarly-sized A8 limousine. It rivals cars like the Mercedes-Benz CLS and BMW’s 6 Series Gran Coupe.

The A7 Sportback is a very well-made, comfortable and technology-festooned car that has plenty of appeal thanks to its sharp-but-understated looks. The ride could be smoother and it’s not a car in which to look for driving thrills, but it’s still a very attractive luxury machine.

Interested in buying an Audi A7?

How good does it look?
4/5

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Looks are always subjective, but Audi has pushed its traditionally-conservative boat out a bit for the latest A7 Sportback. There are plenty of sharp lines and interesting details, most notably the rear light cluster that stretches right the way across the width of the car, which plays some funky animations when you turn the car on. Two trims are available. The standard Sport model rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and has full LED headlights, while the S Line has 20-inch wheels and very clever Matrix headlights that will maintain full beam while tracking oncoming cars in shadow so as not to dazzle them. The S Line also has sportier suspension, which means it sits 10mm lower than the Sport. Solid black or white paint is standard, with other colours available as paid-for options.

What's the interior like?
5/5

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The fact is that most Audi models set the benchmark in their respective classes for interior quality, and the A7 is no different. The materials and build quality are superb, and the design is slightly jazzier than we’ve seen from many Audis in the recent past. Technology dominates, with two central touchscreens to control most of the systems from sat-nav and audio on the top screen to seat controls and air-conditioning on the bottom one. It looks great, but we’ve found it slightly confusing to use. However, that will no doubt improve once you’ve spent more time with it. You also get a virtual instrument panel in place of traditional analogue dials, and depending on spec, a jet fighter-style head-up display that projects information onto the windscreen. Very cool.

How practical is it?
4/5

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The A7 is a big car and as such there’s plenty of room inside for four adults. Granted, the sloping, coupe-style roof means that rear headroom could become a little bit tight for those over six feet tall, but anyone under that will feel nice and spoiled. The boot is also big– 525 litres with the rear seats up, or 1390 with them down – and Audi says it’ll hold two full golf bags. If you don’t play golf, you should be able to get a family’s holiday luggage in, and the hatchback boot lid makes access much easier to access than in a traditional saloon. Inside, there’s a glovebox, two cupholders next to the gearstick and door pockets big enough for a sports bottle (or lots of empty chocolate wrappers). There’s also a small storage space under the central armrest.

What's it like to drive?
3/5

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There are four suspension set-ups available, depending on which version of the A7 you go for. The basic Sport model has a standard setup, while the S line has a setup that’s been both lowered and stiffened for a sportier drive. Raid the options list, and you can also have an adaptive suspension that changes its behaviour according to which driving mode you select, or full-on air suspension that does the same, but also regulates the car’s ride height.

We’ve not yet tried the standard Sport setup, but we’ve have tried the firmer setup on the S line, and it is, well, pretty darned firm. You feel rather too much of grainy and ridged surfaces at low urban speeds, while potholes can really thud into the cabin. Things don’t improve at higher speeds, either, with a constant, unsettled tremor to be felt through the floor of the car, even on smooth motorways. We think many drivers will find it too uncomfortable, and even for those that don’t, it still won’t feel anywhere near as luxurious as you would expect from car like this.

We’ve not tried the adaptive suspension, either, but we have had a shot in a car with air suspension and, while it’s not perfect, it’s a lot better than the S line setup because it isolates you better from the effects of a scruffy road surface. You still feel more than you’d like - or expect - to, though, and again, it’s still not the cosseting, wafty experience you’d expect from a big luxury barge.

That said, in all the versions we’ve tried, the handling is impressively capable, with commendable control over body roll through the corners and masses of grip and traction from the standard four-wheel drive. An optional rear-wheel steering system that works in tandem with the front wheels for improved manoeuvrability and responsiveness makes the car pointer in the bends, too. However, the A7 still stops short of being properly sporty due to its size, weight and the fact that the steering it a little light and short of genuine feel.

How powerful is it?
4/5

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There are three engines available in the A7, all of which are 3.0-litre V6s, one petrol (the 55 TFSI with 340 horsepower) and two diesels (the 45 TDI with 231 horsepower and 50 TDI 286 horsepower). We haven’t yet tried the entry-level diesel, but the 50 TDI is truly mighty, with enormous low-down torque making it capable of properly explosive acceleration no matter how many revs are on the dial. Unfortunately, the speed at which the engine reacts is delayed by the reticence of the eight-speed automatic gearbox. Press the accelerator pedal with any meaningful force, and the gearbox takes a couple of seconds to figure out what it’s doing before it unleashes the pace you’re looking for. This happens whether you’re pulling away from a standstill or accelerating when already on the move, and it really hampers your progress. The effect is lessened if you select the gearbox’s Sport mode, but it’s never eradicated completely.

We’ve also had a shot in the petrol, which is even quicker on paper, accelerating from 0-62mph in just 5.3 seconds compared with the 50 TDI’s 5.7 seconds, but the petrol requires more revs to make that performance happen, so the pace doesn’t feel quite as effortless as it does in the diesel. There’s no denying the epic speed it delivers, though.

How much will it cost me?
4/5

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The purchase prices of the A7 Sportback is broadly in line with those of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, although industry predictions suggest that the Mercedes will hold its value slightly better, and it’s likely to be cheaper than the Audi to service and maintain. However, strong fuel economy in the A7 will save a considerable about of money over the years and miles, and in the end, there’s not a huge amount between the two when it comes to overall costs.

How reliable is it?
2/5

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As the latest A7 Sportback is so new, there’s no historical data on how it’ll perform. As a brand, Audi doesn’t have a brilliant reputation when it comes to reliability, sitting towards the bottom of Warranty Direct’s Reliability Index, which ranks manufacturers by past performance. It’s a similar story in JD Power’s 2017 Vehicle Dependability Study, which listed Audi last-but-one of all manufacturers analysed. Here’s hoping the A7 Sportback can play a part in turning that around.

How safe is it?
5/5

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Audis have an excellent reputation for safety, and we expect the A7 Sportback to uphold that and more. It’s yet to be crash tested by safety organisation Euro NCAP, but we’ll be staggered if it doesn’t score the maximum five stars, thanks to loads of state-of-the-art technological features as standard, including automatic emergency braking, which will intervene if you don’t react to an impending accident. A lane departure warning system is also standard on all models, as are side, front and rear airbags and two Isofix child seat mounting points in the back. There’s more clever stuff on the options list, too. The Tour Pack, for example, includes adaptive cruise control that maintains a safe distance between you and other cars, and there’s also a system that reads nearby speed limit signs and amends your velocity automatically.

How much equipment do I get?
5/5

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Even the entry-level Sport model A7 Sportback is a high-end, luxurious car, and as such it comes with a good amount of equipment as standard. The electric seats are clad in leather and heated in the front, while two-zone climate control air-conditioning keeps things cool (or hot). An LED pack provides some funky interior ambient lighting, the colours of which are customisable, and the boot is electrically operated. Under the centre armrest is a wireless phone charging plate, and there’s also a six-speaker sound system with Apple Car Play, Android Auto and DAB as standard. Upgrade to the S Line for a few special embossed logos and black headlining, but most of the extra money goes on the special headlights and upgraded suspension. Options are plentiful, and include a high-end stereo and more suspension upgrades, as well as 21-inch alloy wheels, a larger fuel tank and a panoramic sunroof.

Why buy?
4/5

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Because you like its sleek looks and the fact it has a prestigious Audi badge, and for many buyers, that’ll probably be enough. Granted, the A7 isn’t perfect – it could be more comfortable and more enjoyable on the road, for instance – but it’ll still appeal to customers looking for a sharp, thoroughly modern luxury car with a wonderful interior, great performance and some cutting-edge technology.